Tartini student viola. Made in the Czech Republic in 2005. Stradivari copy, ebony fittings, Aubert bridge, four fine tuners, two-piece back, orange-brown varnish over a yellow ground. The length of the corpus is 396 mm (15.5 inches). This workshop viola’s sound is exceptionally good for an instrument in this price range – balanced across all four strings with purity and fine intonation. Price: €385.

Wieniawski student viola. Made in the Czech Republic in 2011. Stradivari copy, ebony fittings, Josef Teller bridge, four fine tuners, two-piece back, and medium-brown varnish over a golden ground. The length of the corpus is 395 mm (15.5 inches). This student viola’s sound is both rich and powerful – ideal for students at both the early and more advanced stages. Price: €528.

Bulgarian modern viola by Antonio Petrov. Made in Sofia, Bulgaria in 2010, this modern viola features ebony fittings, a stunningly beautiful medium-brown varnish over a golden ground, and a two-piece back with medium flaming. The length of the corpus is 407 mm (16 inches). The tone is dark, rich and strong, while brilliant and pure in the upper register -- already a lovely and mature sound that puts it within professional range. Price: €2100.

Viola by Blanko&Mladen Sofrenic. Viola begun in 1991 and completed in 2010 by the father and son makers, Branko and Mladen Sofrenic, from Bosnia-Herzegovina. This viola is 41cm (16.14 inches) in length and makes use of seasoned and select spruce and maple from Bosnia that is 20-30 years old. The oil varnish is a beautiful reddish-brown and the one-piece back a joy to behold. Mr. Sofrenic and his father used a Strad pattern for this viola that has a tone suitable for professionals and advanced students. Thomastik Dominant strings. Price: €3940.

Czech Viola by Jan Bursik (2006). Named ‘Eleganza’ by the maker, this outstanding viola, made in 2006, comes with a certificate by the maker. Oil varnish, boxwood fittings, two-piece back,  407mm (16 inches). One of central Europe’s and the Czech Republic’s finest makers, Jan Bursik’s instruments are played by leading orchestral and chamber music musicians throughout the world. The tone of this beautifully-made viola is already full of character – cultivated, rich, noble, shaded, subtle and responsive, offering the player a wide palette of colors and expressive possibilities. Price: €7200.